Hamas leaders say they are not targeting the United States in retaliation for Israel's assassination of their founder, but will hit back at Israel and target Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for death.

Palestinians in Gaza marked the end of a three-day mourning period for Sheik Ahmed Yassin, killed in an Israeli helicopter missile attack.

The new Hamas leader in Gaza, Abdel Aziz Rantisi, backed away from earlier threats of attacks against the US. Rantisi, a 56-year-old paediatrician, said Hamas was not interested in exporting its activities.

"We are inside Palestinian land and acting only inside Palestinian land," Rantisi said.

Israel has decided to target the entire leadership of Hamas, which has killed hundreds of Israelis in attacks .

* A 16-year-old Palestinian with a suicide bomb vest strapped to his body was caught at a West Bank checkpoint. Soldiers sent a yellow army robot to bring scissors to the teen yesterday so he could cut off the vest. Sappers blew up the vest, which the army said was an 18lb bomb.

The family of the teenager, identified as Hussam Abdo, said he was gullible.